looks like it'll be entirely possible to work this like a 40 hour job then. at least it sounds like it'll fit in similarly to my current lifestyle. or am I being overly optimistic about time constraints?

typodragon wrote:looks like it'll be entirely possible to work this like a 40 hour job then. at least it sounds like it'll fit in similarly to my current lifestyle. or am I being overly optimistic about time constraints?

For the most part, you'll be able to set aside time and still have a social life. There will be times when this will come to a screeching halt (when writing assignments are in full swing and around exams) but, generally speaking, if you are spending an hour or two reading for every hour you're in class (which is about 40-60 hour per week total class + study time, or 40 hours plus weekends) you'll be fine.

The important thing to realize is that law school isn't really about working hard so much as working smart (and working hard, but less hard than if you weren't smart ). In the beginning you're going to spend a lot of time briefing cases and really trying to understand all the nuances; about a month or two in, you'll realize that the cases are there to teach you something specific, and if you can cut right to that there's no reason to spend a ton of time on the other stuff (unless you've decided to be an uber-gunner). If your experience is anything like mine, you'll freak out a bit when you first start cutting out bits that you're slacking and are missing out, but you'll gradually realize that you're still learning everything you'll need for exam and practice, and not killing yourself to do it.

In short, don't start out treating it like a 40hr/week job, or you'll be disappointed when it's not. Start out treating it like a giant time-suck and you'll be pleasantly surprised when your classmates invite you over for a beer and you realize you've gotten enough work done to say, "Hells yeah, I don't have class until 10:30 on Thursday!"

Hi everyone. I was admitted to NW last Friday and will be attending. Just thought I would introduce myself. I plan to move out to Chicago from Boston on August 15th. Still haven't found a place to stay but my brother, sister, and best friends all live in Chicago so I should have a place to stay for a while if I am not able to find something by the 15th. I hope to find a room for 400 a month in Logan Square/Bucktown area, so if anyone knows of any available rooms please let me know. I grew up in Chicago and can't be more excited about moving back!

MMW wrote:Hi everyone. I was admitted to NW last Friday and will be attending. Just thought I would introduce myself. I plan to move out to Chicago from Boston on August 15th. Still haven't found a place to stay but my brother, sister, and best friends all live in Chicago so I should have a place to stay for a while if I am not able to find something by the 15th. I hope to find a room for 400 a month in Logan Square/Bucktown area, so if anyone knows of any available rooms please let me know. I grew up in Chicago and can't be more excited about moving back!

Welcome, MMW! I don't know anything about that area, but it sounds like you'll probably find what you're looking for. I would be wary about rooming with someone else your 1L year, though (I assume this is what you're meaning when you say you're looking for 'a room?'), as you might be gambling with what could turn out to be the most important year of your academic life, career-wise...

Thanks mumbling2myself. I hope I can find a studio, but that might not be an option given time constraints and price. Hopefully something will show up. At the very least I hope I can find some older, less raucous roommates. Could some of the currents students answer a quick question? How Mac friendly is NW? I have a mac with both both OSX and XP Pro installed, but I prefer to run OSX. Can I use OSX for my everyday use? What exam software does NW use? Thanks

MMW wrote:Thanks mumbling2myself. I hope I can find a studio, but that might not be an option given time constraints and price. Hopefully something will show up. At the very least I hope I can find some older, less raucous roommates. Could some of the currents students answer a quick question? How Mac friendly is NW? I have a mac with both both OSX and XP Pro installed, but I prefer to run OSX. Can I use OSX for my everyday use? What exam software does NW use? Thanks

Northwestern doesn't use exam software (it's all on the honor system). I use a PC, but several of my classmates use Macs with absolutely no problem. I don't know that IT will give you any support for your Mac (possibly a little help setting up the network, but I'd doubt much more than that), but the school's only a few blocks from the Apple store on Michigan, so you could probably get support there.

Hi everyone... I'm an incoming JD-MBA student. I have been following this thread for a couple of weeks, and I figured I'd introduce myself. I'll be moving from Pittsburgh to Chicago in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!!!

MMW, I'm another Mac user, and I had the same concerns that you have about using Mac OS. During the JD-MBA admits' mini-Day-at-Kellogg, I spoke with a 2J (second year JD-MBA student) about this, and he told me exactly what mumbling2myself said. I went ahead and got my MacBook Air. If you haven't purchased a laptop, I highly recommend it. It's a great second computer. My iMac will be my primary system.

For current students, do you use any special note-taking software (e.g., OneNote, OmniOutliner, NoteBook)?

brillig wrote:Also, I know jack about laptops. Does a person need a docking station if they don't have a desktop or is it more of a preference?

docking stations are for desk-jockeys with bad eyesight and clubbed fingers. they have em at my work. i'm practically the only person who refused to use one.

not to be an ass, but what does a law student need with this kind of computing power? seems like massive overkill as a word/firefox-box, and that's not even mentioning the albatross that is vista business.

Thanks, TTT-LS. I'll try out the different options over the next month or so. I know that taking notes and doing outlines should be the last things on my mind right now. Perhaps watching "The Paper Chase" wasn't a good idea.

typodragon wrote:not to be an ass, but what does a law student need with this kind of computing power? seems like massive overkill as a word/firefox-box, and that's not even mentioning the albatross that is vista business.

The laptops are a bit overpowered for our needs, to be sure, but I think that's more a product of what Dell makes available than the school really making a concerted effort to make us purchase outstanding computers. That said, I plan on using my computer for a few years beyond law school, so I don't mind having a little extra now.

A few things I'd suggest for those buying the dells, as far as customization on the d630 (which is what I've got):

- Get the media-bay battery. You'll rarely need to use your DVD-RW so you can just leave it at home most days, and if you get the extra battery the battery life is outstanding (5-6 hours, depending on what you're doing and how you've set up your power plan; I regularly leave my power adapter at home, and know it won't be a problem).- upgrade to the WXGA+ screen, it's only $25 and well worth it- add the bluetooth module, again, it's only $20 and has many uses (I have a bluetooth mouse, and have a bluetooth headset paired for dictation)- I went with a faster, larger hard drive, but I don't know how worthwhile that is for most

I don't think I would go for the D430 or the small Lenovo; the 630 is not particularly large, and I like having the extra screen space (especially for writing and spending countless hours researching on wexis). They're both great computers for taking notes in class, and probably fine for exams, etc., but I can't stand such a small screen.

Although the NU computers cost a little more than you probably need to spend on a laptop for student purposes, I love the support at the school. I've had many computers crash at inopportune times (thankfully not this year), and the option of taking it to IT and immediately getting a loaner is fantastic. I always have all my notes backed up on a memory key, so if anything happens to my laptop it shouldn't be too difficult for me to use a different computer for a few days while mine is fixed.

I have a mac and I think I'm one of the few people who hasn't had a problem with their computer this year. The Apple store around the corner from the law school has fantastic support. Only thing I would suggest is making sure you bring the extension attachment for your power cord. Most of the outlets won't work with the other power configuration.

I'm moving August 18th. Kind of late I guess. Also, does any have a rough schedule for orientation? I haven't received any materials from NW yet since I just paid my deposit last week. When does orientation begin? On the academic calendar it says Sunday the 24th but I think I remember seeing Friday the 22nd somewhere. Do classes start on September 4th?